SPORT_71-78_Layout 1 9/15/15 12:28 PM Page 71 SPORT_71-78final_Layout 1 9/16/15 11:46 AM Page 72 ILLINOIS Site InSpections 78 ■ Rockford, IL 80 ■ Bloomington-Normal, IL 82 ■ Chicago Southland, IL 84 ■ Carbondale, IL 85 ■ Champaign County, IL 86 ■ Effingham, IL 87 ■ McHenry County, IL 88 ■ Williamson County, IL SPORT_71-78_Layout 1 9/15/15 11:53 AM Page 73 Illinois Invites You Cory M. Jobe, Director Illinois Office of Tourism Greetings from Illinois! On behalf of all of us here at the Illinois Office of Tourism, we look forward to welcoming you to the Land of Lincoln for your next event. As a lifelong Illinoisan, I’m no stranger to all of the amazing things there are to see and do in the state. Whether you’re a returning visitor coming back to the state for a tournament or you’re brand new to Illinois, there’s always something more to discover when you visit. As the Director of the Illinois Office of Tourism I get the chance to invite people from all over the world to experience exactly what we have to offer here. For many, the first thing that comes to mind when they think of Illinois is Chicago, a world-class city with incredible restaurants, hotels, architecture, museums, attractions and more. Illinois is also home to rich presidential history in Spring- field, classic Americana along historic Route 66, incredible outdoor adventures and scenic beauty in the Shawnee National Forest, more than 100 wineries and so much more. Illinois offers a world- class experience from the moment you arrive and long after your team steps off the field. With more than 1,200 sporting venues and state-of-the-art facilities, Illinois hosts everything from PGA tournaments and Olympic trials to college and high school sporting tournaments. Sporting events are an important part of the tourism industry in our state, and we continue to strive to be top of mind for sports associations and or- ganizations planning their next event. To find a sporting facility and to learn more about holding your next event in Illinois, please visit Sportsillinois.com. You can plan the perfect extension to your trip to Illinois by visiting EnjoyIllinois.com. Your friend in Illinois tourism, Cory M. Jobe Director Illinois Office of Tourism SPORT_71-78_Layout 1 9/15/15 11:44 AM Page 74 A World-Class Experience On and Off the Field Awaits in Illinois llinois’ sports tourism track record, its world-class facilities and an location for your next sporting event. Illinois is home to a variety of state- unparalleled drive market with global accessibility have laid the of-the-art facilities across the state and is committed to giving sports I foundation for Sports Illinois to establish itself as an industry organizations the perfect event that will accommodate all of their con- expert and thought leader in the travel and tourism industry. Throughout stituents, while supporting the local economies of the state. the state, Illinois offers a world-class experience from the moment your The State of Illinois has supported sport-related initiatives including spectators arrive and long after your teams step off the field. Choose from sponsorships, marketing/promotion, educational programming, partnered more than 1,200 sporting venues, home to everything from PGA tourna- sales missions and more. One such example is the Sports Illinois Hud- ments to Olympic Trials to smaller, more intimate events. Furthermore, dle. First held in 2009, this annual conference provides education, net- the state’s central location and diverse transportation infrastructure means working and business opportunities over three days to Convention and it’s easy to get to the Land of Lincoln from anywhere in the country. Visitor Bureaus throughout the state as well as interested event rights Along with the Illinois Office of Tourism, Sports Illinois is comprised holders and national governing bodies. Additionally, the Huddle offers op- of a consortium of Convention and Visitors Bureaus throughout the portunities to experience Illinois’ iconic professional sports venues. Past state that work together to provide resources and support event visits have been to Wrigley Field, U.S. Cellular Field, Soldier Field and planners in their efforts to bring sporting events to the state. The legendary Chicagoland Speedway. Also included are opportunities to meet iconic ballparks and stadiums of Chicago help make it an iconic global city professional sports athletes such as Hall of Fame Chicago Bear Dan with world-class attractions, impressive cultural offerings and a Hampton, Hall of Fame NASCAR driver Dale Jarrett and Hall of Fame storied sports heritage at both the professional and amateur level. How- Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas, who attended past con- ever, Chicago is just one of a many offerings that make Illinois the perfect ferences. On the amateur side, opportunities exist prior to the conference for local site visits. Sports Illinois positions itself with a state-first frame of mind, with individual communities followed closely behind – a quality that 74 SPORT_71-78_Layout 1 9/15/15 11:45 AM Page 75 separates it from other competing states. This cohesive and forward- Sports tourism has a significant economic impact in communities thinking vision provides the rights holder a potential multitude of venue across the state as an investment in the tourism industry by supporting options across the state. Jeff Jarnecke, Director of Championships & local hotels, restaurants and retail establishments. Through collabora- Alliances for the NCAA, describes his relationship with Sports Illinois tions with the Illinois Council of Convention and Visitors Bureaus, as such: “Sports Illinois connotes a trusted, valued and professional the Land of Lincoln continues to promote itself as a sports tourism des- partner in the presentation of NCAA championships. From wonderful tination under the umbrella of Sports Illinois. This collaboration provides people to quality facilities, the team at Sports Illinois works tirelessly to premier host sites and services to event rights holders while increasing ensure each event is successfully executed in a way that leaves par- tourism, improving quality of life and enhancing sports opportunities for ticipants and fans with engaging experiences and fond memories.” all. In the past two years alone, Sports Illinois has contributed about Sports Illinois’ practice of sharing leads, experiences and best prac- $2.5 million to the state’s economy. tices is a paramount advantage to a rights holder interested in securing Our communities statewide continue to utilize sports tourism for youth an event in Illinois. Moreover, many of the local Convention and Visitors opportunities, new events, new tourism destinations, maximizing facility Bureaus offer a number of services within their communities to assist in use, building community relationships, as well as strengthening corporate the planning of sporting events such as site selection, securing hotel ac- support. As we move forward and stay ahead of the curve, sport tourism commodations, volunteer recruitment, publicity, vendor assistance, iden- will provide continued growth opportunities for Illinois and we want your tifying sponsors and providing visitor information. When referring to event to be a part of it. moving into the state’s lacrosse market, Robin Baxter, Vice President of To learn more about Illinois destinations, to find a sporting Events for NXTsports, Inc. said, “The demographic, coupled with the fa- facility or to submit an RFP for cilities available throughout the state, the friendliness of the Sports Illinois local expertise, please visit team, and the easy access and location of Illinois, have enabled us to SportsIllinois.com. launch multiple successful events in Illinois.” Toyota Park in south suburban Bridgeview is home to the Chicago Fire Soccer Club and can seat up to 20,000 fans. 75 SPORT_71-78_Layout 1 9/15/15 11:29 AM Page 76 Add Value To Your Illinois Event By Partnering With the Local Tourism Industry o matter the size of the tournament plenty of things to see and do for travelers of or the skill-level of the athletes, at- all ages to transform the trip into a truly mem- N tendees at out-of-town sporting orable vacation by adding a few extra hours events generally fall into two distinct cate- to see the nearby sights or a few extra days to gories – event participants and the spectators explore destinations across the state. that support them. For the participant, a week- The most well-known city in Illinois is end sporting tournament can be an adrena- Chicago, a destination known for its world- line-filled whirlwind that seems to pass in the class hotels, incredible museums and cul- blink of an eye. And yet for some spectators tural attractions, unique restaurants and (like pesky little brothers, for example), the more. While deep-dish pizza and Italian beef event can feel like an eternity, sitting through are two signature dishes, the Windy City is round after round of competition waiting for teeming with a plethora of dining options in- that brief moment in time when the participant fluenced by cultures from across the state, they came to support is the focus of all the country and world. The city’s rich, historical action. So how can event organizers help museums, beautiful beaches and parks address this paradox? By partnering with along the scenic Lake Michigan and the the local tourism industry and Convention & shopping mecca that is Michigan Avenue Visitors Bureau, organizers can provide are all great experiences to help turn a trip added value to their event, while also helping to the Chicago area for a tournament into a to expand the economic benefit their event fun family getaway. Just outside downtown, has on the local community. lively neighborhoods such as Hyde Park, Take Illinois, for example.